HomeMy Public PortalAboutEmergency Order Mandating Face CoveringsTOWN OF WATERTOWN
BOARD OF HEALTH
EMERGENCY ORDER MANDATING FACE COVERINGS
WHEREAS, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts declared a State of
Emergency on March 10, 2020 due to the Novel Coronavirus 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Health of the Town of Watertown has determined that the threat of
COVID-19 poses a present, real and imminent danger to public health, safety, and general
welfare of the people of Watertown; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is easily transmitted, especially in group settings, and it is essential that
the spread of the virus be slowed to protect the ability of public and private health care providers
to handle the influx of new patients and safeguard public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have advised that the spread
of the disease from person to person is caused in part by respiratory droplets produced by
infected persons via respiration, coughing or sneezing, and that people potentially can spread the
disease even before they experience symptoms; and
WHEREAS, the incidence of the COVID-19 virus, and deaths related to the illness, continue to
rise in the Town of Watertown and the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, evidence indicates that workers in Essential Services workplaces such as
supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants offering take-out food and
groceries, and other facilities where the public has general access are especially susceptible to
the transmission of the disease; and
WHEREAS, the CDC, the United States Surgeon General, and the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, among other federal and state medical authorities, have recommended
that individuals wear masks or other suitable facial covering to prevent individuals from
infecting others and reduce the chance of spreading the virus; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown is a densely populated city, making it difficult to maintain
six feet of distance between people at all times in public spaces; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown Board of Health recognizes additional measures are
necessary to prevent or reduce activities that increase the likelihood of the spread of C.
NOW, THEREFORE, for the above stated reasons, the Watertown Board of Health, pursuant to
the provisions of MGL c. 111 § 122, 105 CMR 300.200, and all other authorizing statutes and
regulations, acting by and through its Director of Public Health authorized under MGL c. 111,
§30, hereby ORDERS as follows:
1. Effective at 12:01 a.m., May 4, 2020 any individual who is age five (5) years or older, and not
otherwise exempt per CDC guidelines, shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a
clean mask or face covering (e.g. disposable mask, cloth mask, face shield, bandana, scarf) when
in or at any location open to the general public including all indoor locations open to the public,
outdoor premises of private locations open to the public, and all public outdoor locations (e.g.,
parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, sidewalks, streets, public squares, paths, all Town
property).
Nothing in this order shall be construed to require that a mask or face covering be worn by
children under age five (5) years, or by persons who cannot wear a mask or face covering for
underlying health reasons, or persons requiring a reasonable accommodation/modification as a
result of a qualifying disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or any
applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Persons with underlying health
conditions who cannot wear a mask or face covering are encouraged to wear a face shield.
2. All Essential Businesses, healthcare facilities and any other establishment open to the public
must post a notice at all points of entry requiring those entering such facilities to wear a face -
covering or mask, as described in Paragraph 1.
3. This Order may be enforced by any agent of the Board of Health or the Watertown Police
Department through all lawful means, including by noncriminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c.
40, § 21D and Chapter 35, §35.05 of the Watertown Code of Ordinances.
If non -criminal disposition is elected, then any person who violates any provision of this Order
shall be subject to a penalty in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each violation.
Each day or portion thereof shall constitute a separate offense. If more than one, each condition
violated shall constitute a separate offense.
4. This Order shall remain in effect until notice is given that it is no longer necessary, or the
Board of Health declares that a Public Health Emergency no longer exists.
5. If any provision of this Order or the application thereof to any person or entity or circumstance
is determined to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect or
impair the validity of the other provisions of this Order or the application thereof to other
persons, entities and circumstances.
By Order of the Board of Health.